Parachute



E. R. CALTHROP.

PARACHUTE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

lame/ E. R. CALTHROP.

. PARACHUTE.

. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1919. 19436,@1 L Patented Nw, 21,

3 SHEETS-.SHEET 3.

Patented Nov.. 2i, i922.,

unirse stares EVERARD RICHARD CALTHROP, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO E. R. `CA]'.T{IR0]ESy halitll Pr-TENT @FFECEO AERIAL PATENTS LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

PARACHUTE.

Application led March 2 5, 1919. Serial No. 285,132.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EVERARD RICHARD CALTHROP, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at London, in the county of Middlesex, England, have invented new and useful Improvements Relating to Parachutes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to parachutes adapted to be carried by aerial craft to afford means whereby the occupant. or occupants may descend safely to the ground in case of emergency.

More particularly the invention is concerned with parachutes of the kind described in my Patent No. 1,295,968 wherein the parachute is nested within a container from which it is abstracted by the application of 4 the load and the mouth of the parachute body extended by the opera-tion of spring members in such a manner as to cause said body to entrap the requisite quantity of air to ensure its eventual complete expansion. It will however be understood that the present invention is not to be considered as limited touse with parachutes of this specific construction as any suitable type of parachute may be employed therewith.

Among the several objects of thek present invention are to provide a parachute launch ing device which may be carried on an aerial craft in such a manner that it will not interfere with the stream line construction of the machine nor add additional lhead resistance and which may be launched on the application of the load when the machine is in any vertical or horizontal angle or when flying upside down without risk of its fouling the tail skid or tail planes or other parts of t-he aeroplanes.

lVith the -aforesaid objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear or are incidental thereto my invention in its broadest aspect may be said to be embodied in a construction in which the parachute body and its associated parts are' carried in or supported by a portion of the wing structure of an aeroplane or like aerial craft.

More specifically regarded the invention consists in the provision. of means forming part of the wing structure of an aerial craft whereby the parachute body and its associated parts may he carried or supported in a comp'actly nested condi-tion and `launched on the application of the load in such a manner that the parachute body shall emerge and entrap the requisite quantity of air to ensure its eventual complete eXpansion.

The objects of the invention may be accomplished in one embodiment thereof by providing a container so constructed as to size and shape as to yadapt it to be applied as a portion of the wing Structure of an aero-i plane or like aerial cra-ft. Said container is pivot-ally mounted in a recess formed for its reception in the wing of the aerial craft so that in its ynormal position it forms part of the effective wing area and performs the' same functions the arrangement however being such that when thev parachute is about to be launched said container will owing to its pivotal connection with the wing accommodate itself to the angle of least resistance which will allow of the parachute being launched therefrom with the least frictional resistance.

In order that'my invention may bereadily understood and carried into effect by those skilled in the art to which it appertains I will now proceed to describe the same in detail for the ready understanding of which reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which i Figure l illustrates a portion of the fuse.- lage and wing structure of an aeroplane or like aerial machine showing the general application of .my invention thereto.

Figure 2 represents a section through the parachute container and illustrating the parachute body rigging and associated parts in position therein. i

Figure 3 is a section taken along line A-A of Figure 2 slightly more than one half of the section however only being shown.

Figure 4 is a section taken along lines B-B of Figure 2; i Y

yFigures 5 and 6 are detail views hereinafter more particularly referred to.

Figure 'T is a perspective view of one of the spring members hereinafter described.

Figure 8 is al view of the means employed for releasing the container from its normal condition.V

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating two parachutes being released from the wings of an aeroplane inV flight.

In that embodiment of my invention herein shown and described andreferring rst i to Figure l `a container is provided for holdcraft. Said container 1 is 4pivotally mount-` edby means of thebraclets secured toone or"w the spars vsncf the wingstructure lin a recess formed orits reception in said/Wing ingthe parachute and its associated parts within it. It comprises Ilf`jc" ilike structure which as shown in"Fig`ure 1 is" bf such a shape that when in position in the recess provichedgiorfitjin the wing Otan aeroplane. or i .the iike informs partof said wingl inasmuch vas it takes the place of that part ot the wing which is removed for its accommodation.

yConsequentlythe normal supporting power of the'win'g or plane is in no wise interfered with and what is of equal importance the container"takingl thep'lace' of and performing thesa'ineftuii'ctions lasa partnf the 2 2jsothatin-y its norma-l position it orins part. 4usuali vor 'common 'construction of "the ma- VV1 hinged together as at 5 `and ,6, (Eigure 2l r"so thatI it may be clampedk to thelspar with- 20,4

of the effective wing area and performs the `same' functionsI v y'lhisfbracketI is made rommetaliplates outr'boringor weakening tlie:latter in any way. Rubber buffers oneoit which is shown :dat 7 `Vare secured to the bracket te absorb 1 .shoclr when the-containerfis released to eff rfect the launchingofthe parachute as here- Linafte'ridescribed.,'v I 1 yBefore proceedingtoparticularizethe construction and operation of the .aforesaid con! y tainer and otthefparaehute contained there# v win it will beconvenientto pointvout the f necting the parachutezto the aviator` means which I .prefer to employ for con- Th' numeral 8 indicatesthefcentre bolt of.' the parachute upon which the .weight .of the load is exerted to abstract the parachute from the chine instead ofbeing separate i entity as is the'cafee where the container is slung out-v vside the fuselage Lno"'fz'idditiO nalhead resistance is produced when themachine is in ,flieht y The top and Ibottom" portions of the coni ta'iner y 1 7 arev eac'hconstituted byv two. portions 12, 1 3 and 14', 1'5"(1T i'gure 12') the parts 12 being hinged at` 16"' tofthepreferably curved rearend 17 of'fthecontainerwhile they poijtio'nf lf3l ishinged 'at'lSf to the` frame member 37 hereinafter'des'cribedf `The' bot- 760m pbiftiens'ofith'efco'ntainer 14 andl are hingedlv. respectively iat 9* and' 20-and .the g sides 21 'of vsaid container are each in two fp arts `which join-` flush the ijoint-22indi cated int dotted 'lines' in? Figure 2.y fThefrear end or what-forconveni'ence .will be termed `the mouth othe'container-isconstituted thei'ne'mber "23 and which I vwill containerl idas ,hereinafter described said "hereinafter re'ferftoas the tapebaras it centre bolt-being,` connectedtofthe usual har-y Yness worn `by the aviator by the; main suspension :or load` rope 9, and shock absorber 10. To arevent iiofoinoyor vflicking` ot saidl i 1b. 21 i .Aa

.connection'sfl d etachably secure'. them to the machin@ und in theucaseu'of the'` shock ab;A I ysor'ber 10 thisvis effected bylflocating it ina load1rope'9.

pocket orrecessll at theisi'de ofthe fuselage and covering vit by-a fabric strippingl piece lightly cemented orf otherwisesecured tothe fabric of the 'fuselageg Ilie loadrope 9 is likewise-,lightly secured in position bysimilar 'strippingpieces Athefwood struts of the i usel'age'and wingstructure beingprefer-V ably recessedfto accommodate the rope the strippingpiecesbeing then arranged in place to covergit so that it' may not be affected by'fadversevw-eather conditions whileatthe same time reducing air'resistance to aminev imum: and preventing any 'flogging of the parts-during' fiight. This arrangement also has theadditionaladvantage that` the sistance exerted b 'the stri apind ieces lwhen lthe loadv is applied `materially reduces the shock or violence of: free falll andr affords a' certain amount of support to the airman from ythe:fcommencement of 'the Adescent',

l will now proceedto a consideration of the construction and mountingv ofthe container l and of the method l adopt'ot stowfis to this member that the ends of' thel tapes constituting' therigging 'of the .fparachute l 'i are positively connected. The, tape bar servesfto ydetachably close the `mouthotf the vcontainer and hasattached tlieretovby means of the centrey bolt 8 the main suspension or v' llt Awill kbeseen thatso tar as-I have described the"construction-oit thecontainer vit comprises an venclosed or box-like lstructure Ehereinafter described willvv be ca'pableoil eX- "pansion to allowof the unimpededsabstrac- 'tion ofl its Uc 'ontentsfas will-@be vapparent when the operation'of the devicefwhich will presently be explained is considered.

y The container is'pr'ovided 'at its rear end v Vwith a spindle Qllthe endsof which arejourn nailed inV the""bracke`tsi 3 positively secured 'to one end ofthe long itudinal sparse of the wing structurefso that it shall be capable "of swinging" upwards and downwards relatively tothe wingthereby enablineitto accommodate itselic tofthe angle of least resistance which vwill allowthe parachute beine'y launched ltherefrom with the least pos= ,sible trictional resistance 'according' to the position Otthe'aerial craft'when 'the load ris .appliedtothe fmain suspension rope.

The stowage'o'f the'parachutebody and its which" when 4the Vtapev bar *23' lis removed .as

, doublet tapes 25 are positively connegted to slotted plates 27 one of which is shown on a larger scale in Figure 5 which plates are in turn positively connected to the periphery of the parachute 28 by grommets 29.

The ends of the doublet tapes remote from where they are connected to the parachute body are joined to the main tapes 26 by means of plates 30 (see Figures 2 3 and 6) and to each of these latter plates a rupturable connection constituted by more or less easily broken silk cords or threads 31 is led to the plate 32 carried by the aforesaid spindle 24. These rupturable connections 31 which may be of different lengths or different strengths serve to prevent the doublet tapes unlapping until the main tapes are fully extended as will be understood from the description of the operation of the device `hereinafter contained and they are preferably packed together to prevent entanglement as shown in Figures 2 and 3 being retained in such condition by rubber bands 33. l Before continuing with the description of the arrangement and disposition of the tapes constituting the rigging of the parachute it will be convenient to refer at this point and in more detail to the function of the plates 27 and the part they play in bringing about the positive opening of the mouth of the parachute body 28 when this latter is abstracted from the container by the weight of the load.

In my specification of prior date No.

y267509 I have described the opening of the mouth of a parachute by means of spring members but in that specification I was dealing with a parachute which is packed in a circular container Whereas in the present arrangement the container is in its general aspect of rectangular form. The opening` of the parachute mouth under the present invention is effected in a manner similar to that described in my last mentioned prior specification but owing to the flattened shape of the container a slight modification in the formv of the spring members is rendered necessary and I therefore prefer to employ two substantially flat strips of steel connected together by a spring hinge. I have illustrated one of these spring` members in perspective in Figure 7 and the position it occupies within the container 1 will be understood from an inspection of Figure 11. As the assemblage of the rigging within the container proceeds the plates 2T in their proper sequence are engaged by means of their slots 34 with the two jaws 35 and 36 of the spring member which holds them firmly in position against the interior of a frame 37 provided for that purpose and secured within the container 1.

The construction of this frame 37 will be best understood from Figures 2 and a. It is in two parts secured respectively to the top yand bottom portions of the container 1 (Figure 2) the sides of the frame meeting at 38 (Figure 1) and they7 are normally held together by a socket and pin joint at each side one of said joints being` indicated at 39 (Figure 3) the pin being connected by a tape l0 to the tape-bar 23 for a purpose presently to be described.

I will now explain the construction of the tape bar indicated as a whole by the numeral 23 and which as above stated serves to hold the main tapes 26 and to which the main suspension or load rope 9 is attached. To the bar 23 two flat metal plates 41 (Fig-- ures 2 and 3) are hinged such as by leather hinge pieces 42 said plates when in position relatively to the container lying snugly within this latter as shown in Figure 2. These plates serve to support theY main tapes 26 in position the packs being lightly attached thereto in any convenient manner and the ends of said main tapes are positively secured. to the bar 23 such as by the plates 4.3. The parachute body 28 is compactly folded and pleated and inserted in the container 1 for which purpose the end 17 is removed and the portion 12 turned about its hinge to facilitate the making of the 'various connections between the parts. The apex of the parachute body is attached by appropriate rupturable connections 14: (Figure 3) to the plate 32 carried in a central position by the spindle 24.

When the member 23 is in position at the mouth of the container 1 it is of course essential that means should be provided for retaining it in that position in such a manner that it cannot be displaced other than by the exertion of sufficient force upon the load rope 9. To this end I therefore provide a rupturable connection consisting of a wire 115 (Figures 2 and made fast to the centre bolt 8 at 4.6 at the opposite end to a spindle 4.7 provided with a pawi and ratchet device L18. The end of spindle l? is squared to receive a key whereby the necessary tension may be exerted on the wire 45 when the operation of assembling the parachute and its rigging within the container is comA pleted. By this means the mouth of the container 1 is securely closed and all parts of the device retained in operative relation to each other.

" broken lines in Figure unimpeded abstraction ot the plates 1l to` gether with the packed main tapes 26 which 24. The weight ot `the load exerted upon the centre Assuming the parachute and its associv '1 as hereinbetore described `and said con-l tainer mounted within the aforesaid recess inthe wing` of the aeroplane it is retained in position by the automatic cutting mechanism 49 shown in Figure 8. The aviator being attached to the tape bar 23 through the load rope 9 shock absorber 10 and usual harness the operation of the device when a descent is made is as follows: `When the aviator throws himself 'from the,cockpit his weight will be iirst exerted on the load rope 9 and the shock absorber l0 and the stripping pieces will be detached the weight ot the load will then be exerted upon the shrouded cutting mechanism 49 thereby severing the connections and allowing they container to swing down about its spindle will then be and the wire t5 which willbe fractured whereupon the member 253 will be pulled away from the mouth ol the' top and bottom portions of which will expand and assume the positions shown in latter will be extended to their full length. When this occurs the weight ot the load is Atransterred to the plates B9 rnpturable cords 31 which are then broken dis-synchronously and the doublet tapes 25 will then be extended until the load is exerted on the,

plates 27 and through them tothe periphery ot the parachute. .lust previous to this however the tapes i0 will have exerted a pull upon the pins 39 thus allowing the separation oi the two portions ot the trame 37' under the considerable tension ot the` spring jaws 35, 36 and as the plates 27 and periphery oit the parachute body leave thev container 1 the spring jaws will assume a straight position and as a consequence the plates 27 will slip ott the jaws 35, 36 there` by positively opening the mouth ot the parachute. The connection ot the parachute at 'its apex is then broken and the parachute is completely treed and expands to its ttull ei;n tent. v

1n order that the container l may be returned to its normal position in the wing of the aeroplane atter the parachute is launched l may provide springs plates or hinges on both sides as indicated in Figure 9 or l may as illustmted in AFigure l provide a rubber spring Ytor a like purpose.

lVhat 'I claim and desire to secure bvLetters Patent ot the United States is 1. 1n an aeroplane or like aerial craft the combination with the wingstructure ot a container ,tor a parachute and its associated parts pivotally mounted in said wing structure and forming part ot the eective wing y and bottom bolt S the tape bar 23,`

the container 1 2 thus allowing the area and means associated with said container tor launching the parachute theretrom upon the application of the load.

2. 1n an aeroplane lor like aerial, craft the 4comlzyination with the wingstructurerof an parachute land its expansible container for a` associated partsna pivotal mounting 'in said wing structure for said container, asmember having the 'rig'ging'j`` ot 'the "parachute, positively secured. theretol and 'adapted to normally,v close the mouth oi thef container and a rupturable yconnect-ion"'loe'Nveen said member and the container.` 1 'f 3.111 an aeroplane or "like Vaerial `craft the combination with the itfin'g'stlu'cture ot' an expansiblfe container a pivotal mounting in 'said wing structure torsfalid container bracket supports for said pivotal mounting carried by thewin'g" spar'hingedparts topV y ofV said container" a detachable 111emberadapted to lnormally lsfe themouth ot said container 'l'autral'ne m'emb'erff with which and the aforesaid" 'hinged tpaits f- 'the said detachable member"isadaptedf'to so operate and amrupturabl'e" 'cbnne'ctionf' bei tween said member 'and'the 'containrx 4. 1n y, an aeroplane like" Aaerial' craft the combination of a pivotally"mounted'container ifo-1 thef'parachute 'audits-associated parts adapted to` part oithe 'eieel' tive winglyarea o 'the craft, "'t'opf" tom hinged parts'to said' container ""a lmembertor normally closing the"moutliof said containera plate hinged tot"saitl""member and adapted to supportA theV maintapes of :the rigging means positively'cnncting the said tapes with,y said member' 'means connecting said member with abipart tra-me `parachute. body and vsijibsedueht ttd the withdrawalv of the sai'dfinembertoi'psitively open the said month and afiupturable'rbnnection between said rmemb'er andithe container" www" Il f5-fin? A' 5, In yaeroplane'orflikeiaerialV craft the combination with tlie'avingstriicture of a rectangular `container apivot'al mounting therefor iny aV vrecessf 'iorined for receptionbinthe wing and meansadaptedto position theicontaine'r'f to"'theahigle l'requisite tor effecting thela'unching of theipara-chute `with the least vriction'al;iresifstance.4

, 6, in an aero-plane o""l`k e"'aer'ia lcraft the combination oft abi-:part hingedfc'ontainer Y.tor the parachute and its 'associated parts, a pivotal 1ino'untingthereforiin'aL redess formed in the wing structure ott efawcraiiitQ-a :member Vtonnorrnally fclosin the mouth of the container, 'a seriesfot"connectingplates for securing the main ytapesv toxsaidfnifeifnber, top and bottom plates tiexiblyc'onnected'to said member Jfor supporting said -A`'main tapes a series ot' connecting` plats'l'securing said main tapes to. doublet tapes,4 ur'able connections between said latter plates and the container, slotted plates connected to said doublet tapes and to the mouth ot the parachute body, spring hinged strips with the jaws of which the slotted connecting plates are engaged, a bi-part frame within the container adapted to receive the said slotted plates under the action ot' the spring jaws means connected with the said member for releasing the parts of said frame and a rupturable connection between said member and container.

7. In an aeroplane or the like aerial craft in which the parachute and its associated parts are nested in a rectangular container pivotally mounted in a recess formed in the Wing the combination of top and bottom spring walls to said container as member constituting a tape bar adapted to eiiect the closure of the mouth ot said container, spring hinged plates for effecting the opening of the mouth ot the parachute body., a bi-part frame in said container for supporting said plates, means connected with the tape bar for separating the parts of said frame and a rupturable connection between said tape bar and the interior of the container.

8. In an aeroplane or like aerial craft the combination with the wing structure oit a bracket support hinged plates pertaining` to said bracket and securing means for eli'ecting attachment of said hinged plates to the spar of the Wing structure.

9. In an aeroplane or like aerial craft the combination with the wing structure of a bracket support, hinged plates pertaining; to said bracket, means on said plates for securing them to the spar of the wing;` structure a spindle mounted in said bracket support and an approximately rectangular container mounted on said spindle.

l0. In an aeroplane or like aerial craft the combination with. the wing structure ot an approximately rectangular container1 a pivotal spindle mounted in said container, bracket supports for said spindle, hinged plates pertaining to said brackets means on said plates -for securing` them to the spar ot the Wing structure a detachable member closing the mouth of said container a rupturable connection between said member and said spindle and means for applying,` tension to said connection for holding the said member in position to securely close the mouth of the container.

ll. In an aeroplane or like aerial craft the combination with the wing structure of an approximately rectangular container a pivotal spindle mounted in said container, bracket supports `for said spindle, hinged plates pertaining;` to said brackets means on said plates `tor securing; them to the spar of the Wing; structure a detachable member closing;` the mouth ot said container a. parachute nested Within said container main tapes connected to the parachute b y means oi doublet tapes and means for positively securing,v the opposite ends oit said main tapes to said detachable member.

12. In an aeroplane or like aerial craft the combination with the wing structure ot an approximately rectangular container a pivotal spindle mounted in said container, bracket supports "for said spindle, hinged plates pertaining` to said brackets means on said plates for securing them to the spar of the wing structure a detachable member closingthe mouth of said container a parachute nested within said container doublet tapes and main tapes connected respectively to said parachute and to said detachable member and a plurality ot plates each having a slot :tor the reception of the ends of the doublet plates and means for the attachment of rupturable connections.

18. ln an aeroplane or like aerial craft the combination with the wing` structure of an approximately rectangular container a pivotal spindle mounted in said container bracket supports for said spindle, hinged plates pertaining to said brackets means on said plates 'tor securing them to tbe spar of the wing` structure a detachable member closing the mouth ot said container a rupturable connection between said member and said spindle means for applying tension to said connection tor holding` the said member in position to securely close the mouth of the container slotted plates adapted tor connection with the mouth ot the parachute body and with. the aforesaid doublet tapes and spring; members adapted to engage the slots in said plates.

141e. ln an aeroplane or like aerial eraiit the combination with a pivotally mounted container tor tbe parachute and its associated parts of means for temporarily retaining saidfcontainer in position to 'function with the effective wing area and n'ieans for severing` said retaining; means.

ln an aeroplane or like aerial craft the combination with a. pivotally mounted container rmine,4 a part et the eectiye wing area of the machine a parachute and its associated parts nested within said container a suspension rope Ytor attaching said parachute to the aviator and a stripping piece adapted to temporarily retain said suspension rope.

EVERARD RICHARD @ALTER-OP. 

